Welcome! My name is Victoria Afanaseva and my life is a story of art, startups, friendship and travels. The jewellery displayed here is the result of my love for design, porcelain and precious metals. I set out on this passionate journey of creative discovery in 2014. 
2013
The idea is born & moving to Bali
After graduating with honours from the Stroganov Academy Of Arts, I decided to move to Bali. My wish was to leave my comfort zone and take the future into my own hands. My intuition led me to this stunning Island of Gods. I was sure that I would find the guidance needed to be able to truly express myself. I wanted to fulfil my desire to create with my hands, not just using a computer.
2014
First encounters with porcelain
A friend once invited me to a masterclass for crafting porcelain cups and vases. At first, I didn’t take it seriously. As an interior designer by trade, I have always worked on large scale projects. Initially, porcelain was just too ‘small’ of a subject matter for me.
However, this masterclass was a turning point for me. It inspired my understanding of this material and shifted my vision. I finally understood that this was the one element that would allow me to create all the shapes I had been longing for.
Throughout the entire year I was experimenting, finding my own style. This creative path has led me in three main directions that continue to shape my work: Nature, the Ocean and Geometry.
2015
Romance with ceramic
The first year I fully dove into ceramic creations was 2015. I studied the characteristics of this new material, discovered nature patterns in it and tried to replicate them in my ceramics. The journey of establishing my own style continued.
That year, I designed a lot of brass and wooden jewellery with extraordinary shapes. There were also different dishes and ceramic skulls. The collection received very positive feedback from my clients which gave me a boost of confidence and empowerment. I had a deep sense of going in the right direction.
However, I was working alone on this jewellery endeavour and struggled with multitasking. I was creating new products, handling the marketing, printing and all the rest. I take particular pride in the packaging: Each piece is wrapped in a handmade triangular bag.
For me ceramic is love – the kind that lasts a lifetime. As my romance with ceramic unfolded, so did another one. I met Alex, who has since become my beloved husband.
I was worked alone, so it was needed to be a multitask person. At the same time doing promotion, packaging, printing and everything else. By the way, triangular handbags are my special odjects for pride.
2016
Spanish passion
and the Navarra Collection
My husband Alex and I spent most of 2016 in Madrid. He studied a lot and I was exploring this marvellous city, sketching a lot and further developing the concept of Ceramic By AVA. The main ideas during that period were: “Get rid of excess inventory (remaining stocks). Do not doubt yourself. Do not work with brass.”
By the time we returned to Bali a new collection, named “Navarra,” was born. It was named after a province in the North of Spain. It is famous for the absolutely gorgeous National Park with its signature triangular hills. In this collection, we used black porcelain and gold-plated pieces for the first time.
2017
The Cinta Collection and expanding production
In 2017 Ceramic by AVA really started to gain momentum. We registered a trademark and significantly improved our online store. A big jewellery shop in Bali also exhibited the Navarra Collection.
As the production increased, we had to ensure that the porcelain-works kept up. We further improved the quality while maintaining the special touch of handcraft. To achieve this, I used a systematic approach. I created 3D models of all the major porcelain elements and printed new molds. Since then, our porcelain elements feature more straight and strong lines. As the result, all the jewellery pieces now match effortlessly.
At the end of 2017 the new Cinta collection was released. Cinta means love in Indonesian. Hand-made jewellery possesses a special energy. In the Cinta Collection the source of this energy was ‘the love of the island of Bali.’ This time, I added classic, timeless pieces without porcelain elements. They enhance your look by adding a special touch – a flirtatious, uplifting and playful feeling.
It is important for me to feel the connection with my customers, since all of this is created especially for you. It was a big pleasure to discover that our customers had selected the “Elena” and “Laila” necklaces as bestsellers. These pieces were named after the winners of our Instagram competition: “Create the jewellery of your dreams.”
2018
Balinese showroom
and the Unbalance Collection
Finally, Ceramic By AVA opened its first showroom in 2018. It has become a place of power and tenderness that I continue to adorn with fresh details and new jewellery pieces. Nowadays, the main space is reserved for the Unbalance Collection. The guiding idea is that there are many similar objects in nature, but none are exactly the same. I followed this idea of asymmetry in my jewellery designs at that time.
2019
A new look for old ideas
This year I am making my previous and almost forgotten ideas come true and try something new. The fashion look represented by “AVA style” had been on my mind even longer than the jewelry. I had been drawing sketches for clothes for quite a while. Now dresses have become a part of the store after all.
The new collection of 2019-2020 is coming, so get excited! It will feature our first men’s collection. Furthermore, we will soon present five new home decor elements.
What do you feel when you see the ocean waves breaking on the shore?
And what about the sunset lights that picture the sharp lines of the mountains?
I feel the harmony with the world around. The island of Bali has become my special source of creativity. A certain place where the unity with nature fulfills you with the artistic energy, a place where you want to create something unique. This is the place where my jewelry brand Ceramic by AVA was born.
My passion to geometry has been always with me during 10 years of design education. Every project that I took formed and honed my personal style. The whole concept of my jewelry was formed around triangles – simple and neat, but at the same time fulfilled with the high symbolic value of a geometric figure. You can find triangles in different philosophies and religions in all the cultures in all the times. This is the symbol of harmony and perfection, sun and fire, the very being and spiritual equilibrium.
Even skipping all esoteric issue, there’s still an energy of straight lines, art (aesthetic) and balance. Every piece of my jewelry can be fulfilled with your own story.
I’ve been looking for a certain material to use in my jewelry designs for quite long.
After 2 years of experiments I’ve come across the Spanish porcelain – an ideal material for creating geometric forms with clear shapes (clear lines). It’s so inspiring to work with it, as you control the process with your own hands. Only after the firing you get this very unique porcelain piece.
The unity of ceramic and silver has resulted in creation of rings, necklaces, earrings and bracelets that are harmoniously matched not only with each other, but also with your everyday outfit.
Every jewelry is handmade and carries the energy of the sun and a piece of Bali within.
This special character of jewellry from Ceramic by AVA emphasizes your personality, and the geometrical designs adds lightness to your outlook (look).
It’s simply unique, just like you.
Hope you’ll like it.
